Ali Khamenei Assassinated: His Life, Net Worth, and Successor

Why was Khamenei assassinated?

On 28 February 2026, Khamenei was killed in a large‑scale air attack. According to The Guardian, the strike was carried out by the United States and Israel. In contrast, Wikipedia attributes the attack solely to Israel. The conflicting accounts highlight the lack of an official, independent investigation.

“He died in a large-scale air attack on Iran by the US and Israel.”

“Assassination by Israeli airstrikes.”

Details of the 2026 airstrike

Reports indicate that the airstrike targeted Khamenei’s residence or a military site. The Carnegie Endowment for International Peace reported that an Interim Leadership Council was formed immediately afterward, citing Article 111 of Iran’s Constitution. The council reportedly included President Masoud Pezeshkian, Judiciary Chief Gholam‑Hossein Mohseni‑Eje’i, and cleric Alireza Arafi.

Disputed claims: Israeli-only vs joint US-Israeli operation

The lack of primary sources—no official statements from the U.S., Israel, or Iran—makes it impossible to confirm the exact perpetrators. The existing results contain date and chronology inconsistencies (Carnegie).

What was Ali Khamenei known for?

Role as Supreme Leader

Khamenei succeeded Ruhollah Khomeini in 1989 and served as supreme leader for 37 years. He wielded ultimate authority over military, judiciary, and foreign policy (The Daily Star). His tenure reshaped the Islamic Republic into a system where the highest clerical office outweighed every elected institution.

Architect of the IRGC

Under his guidance, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps grew into a powerful economic and political force. He expanded its role beyond defense to include internal repression and regional operations, making the IRGC a pillar of his rule. Learn more in our profile Ali Khamenei: Supreme Leader of Iran – Biography, Policies, Death.

Hand injury and its impact

In 1981, a bomb attack seriously injured Khamenei’s right hand, leaving it permanently damaged. The official biography describes the injury as a turning point, though it did not hinder his political rise. The attack occurred at a time when the young cleric was already active in the revolutionary movement.

The pattern: Khamenei’s rise combined personal resilience with strategic use of the IRGC, creating a leadership model built on institutional control rather than personal popularity alone.

Does Ali Khamenei support Hamas?

Historical backing of Palestinian groups

Khamenei consistently provided rhetorical and material support to Hamas and other Palestinian militant factions. The official website of the Supreme Leader emphasizes an anti‑Zionist stance and calls for the destruction of Israel. He called the 2023‑2024 Gaza war a battle for Palestinian liberation.

“Palestine will be liberated from the Zionist regime.”

Statements on the Israel–Hamas conflict

In numerous speeches, Khamenei praised Hamas’s attacks on Israel and condemned any normalization with the Jewish state. Council on Foreign Relations analysts note that his support for proxy groups extended beyond rhetoric, including the transfer of weapons and funds. He used the Palestinian cause to strengthen Iran’s regional image and to pressure moderate rivals at home.

The implication: Hamas backing served dual purposes—external confrontation and internal consolidation.

Who is stronger in Iran, president or supreme leader?

Constitutional powers of the Supreme Leader

The supreme leader has command over the armed forces, can veto major state policies, and appoints half the members of the Guardian Council. The Assembly of Experts elects the leader but cannot remove him without cause (The Daily Star). These constitutional provisions concentrate ultimate power in the clerical office.

Role of the President

Iran’s president is the head of the executive branch but remains subordinate to the supreme leader on matters of security and foreign policy. The president is directly elected but cannot overrule the leader’s decrees. Ahram Online explains that an interim council can perform the leader’s duties when the office is vacant, further limiting presidential power.

How power is balanced

The following table compares key powers:

The catch: Iran’s power distribution tilts overwhelmingly toward the supreme leader, making the president a manager rather than a sovereign. Succession thus carries existential weight for the regime.

What is Khamenei’s net worth?

Official claims of modest lifestyle

According to the official biography, Khamenei lived a humble life, describing himself as a “poor Islamic scholar” who taught his family simplicity. He refused to own a private home and relied on a modest state salary.

Estimates from international sources

Western estimates vary widely, from hundreds of millions to billions of dollars, often based on alleged control of hidden assets. No independent audit has been published, and officials frequently deny such figures. The Council on Foreign Relations notes that members of the supreme leader’s family have accumulated stakes in healthcare, telecommunications, and real estate, though direct attribution to Khamenei remains disputed.

Wives and family

Khamenei had two wives: his first wife, Khojasteh Khamenei (deceased), and his second wife, Mansoureh Khamenei. He has several children, including Mojtaba Khamenei, who was reported as a candidate for succession (The Daily Star). For more on the succession process, see Ali Khamenei: Death and Succession of Iran’s Leader.

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